FORT MYERS, Fla. (March 10, 2016) -- An explosive six-run first inning set the tone for the Drew University softball team's 10-1 victory over Alfred State College, the first of a two-game split on Thursday afternoon at the Gene Cusic Collegiate Classic.
 
The Rangers (5-3) put on a hitting clinic in Game 1's win over Alfred State (0-1) in five innings, but ensued to drop Game 2 of the sunny doubleheader to Kenyon College (5-3), 15-6, in six innings.
 
Drew's fun in the sun will finally come to an end on Friday, March 11 with the final doubleheader of Spring Training. Drew squares off against Rockford University and Wheelock College with an early morning double dip set to begin at 9:00 a.m. from Naples.
 
Huge First Propels Drew Past Kenyon, 10-1
 
The Rangers dropped six runs in the first inning of the day, batting around behind freshman starting pitcher Bethany Budner, who with a five-inning, one-run complete game, improved to 4-1 on the season. Sophomore outfielder Brooke Adams continued her torrid hitting pace with a 3-for-3 day with three RBIs. Adams doubled twice in the win and leads the team in batting average (.579), slugging percentage (.842) and RBIs (8). Adams seems to have developed more power in the offseason, already amassing last year's doubles total. Adams yanked a double to left center in the first inning to score two and raise the Ranger lead to 6-0. Adams has a hit in every game she's played in so far this year.
 
Drew sat on its six-run cushion throughout the contest before tacking four more runs on in the final frame, clinching the victory early in just five innings. Adams drove in the 10^th and final run of the game with another left centerfield double that chased home freshman outfielder Katie Grodski. Grodski drove in two and scored two runs in the victory. Junior outfielder Phylicia Pellot went 3-for-4 out of the leadoff spot and scored the first run of the game on a sacrifice fly from sophomore third baseman Lauren Mastropierro.
 
Rangers Bested in Game 2 By Kenyon
 
Despite the loss, sophomore outfielder Heather Ronchi notched two hits in four at-bats, extending her team-leading hit total to 16. Also, every starting Ranger reached base safely in the setback. Freshman DP Sammie Booth registered her first career multi-RBI game with two, both of which came on a 2-run double to right centerfield.
 
The Rangers' knack for the big inning transferred over to this game as well, with Drew posting a five-run third to erase a 6-1 deficit.